Valve with spherical plug



March 2, 1965 E. STURMER ETAL 3, 1,

I VALVE WITH SPHERICAL. PLUG Filed March 9, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 1INVEA/raPS March 2, 1965 E. STURMER ETAL 3,171,429

VALVE WITH SPHERICAL PLUG Filed March 9, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 a FIG-3INVENTOPS March 2, 1965 E. STURMER ETAL 3,171,429

VALVE WITH SPHERICAL PLUG Filed March 9, 1962 5 Sheets$heet 4 Wyn/r04 55-124 sf'rmer- We) 2 B 0 /dt a/f/c March 1965 E. STURMER ETAL 3, 71,429

VALVE WITH SPHERICAL PLUG Filed March 9, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 UnitedStates Patent 12 Claims. ((21. 137-415 The present invention relates toa valve with spherical stop or plug which, by means of two bearingstuds, is journalled in an undivided valve housing while the sealing ofthe valve passage in the housing with regard to the plug or stop iseffected by sealing rings displaceable in the direction of the flowpassage, and while the plug or stop is inserted in a cylindrical boreextending in the direction of the axis of the plug or stop.

Valves of the abovementioned type are employed for shutting off gas andoil lines or other lines conveying liquid media, especially mediaconveyed under a high pressure, as for instance, in excess of 100atmospheres above atmospheric pressure.

Valves of the above-mentioned type with undivided housing have theadvantage that they have relatively small dimensions. The displaceablearrangement of the sealing rings was heretofore obtained by making thesealing rings displaceable within the valve housing in the direction ofthe flow passage through the intervention of a screw-thread. However,such threads are expensive to manufacture, particularly when valves oflarger dimensions are involved. They are also cumbersome to operatebecause, for purposes of obtaining a complete stroke, they have to berotated by two rotations. Moreover, considerable difiiculties have beenencountered when the sealing rings, after a longer period of operation,have to be screwed outwardly in order to free the plug or stop. This isdue to the formation of crustations or rust on the threads whereby therotary movement is considerably impeded and sometimes may be impossible.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a valvewith spherical stop or plug which will overcome the above-mentioneddrawbacks.

It is another object of this invention to provide a valve of the typeset forth above, with spherical plug or stop, which will make itpossible to carry out the maximum stroke by a smaller revolution thanwas heretofore necessary.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear moreclearly from the following specification in connection with theaccompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 illustrates a vertical section through a valve according to thepresent invention, while, in view of the symmetry between the right-handand left-hand portions of the valve, the right-hand side is onlypartially shown.

FIGURE 2 illustrates a horizontal section taken along the line IIII ofFIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a vertical section similar to that of FIGURE 1 through amodified valve according to the present invention.

FIGURE 4 is a horizontal section taken along the line IVIV of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 illustrates on an enlarged scale a modified partial sectionwithin the range of the ring carrying the sealing ring.

FIGURE 6 represents a vertical section through a still furthermodification of the present invention.

FIGURE 7 is a horizontal section taken along the line VIIVII of FIGURE6.

FIGURE 8 illustrates a detail of a valve according to the invention.

FIGURE 9 is a vertical section through still another modification of avalve according to the present invention.

FIGURE 10 represents a section taken along the line XX of FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 11 is a cross-section taken along the line XIXI of FIGURE 9.

As has been mentioned above, the present invention concerns a valve withspherical plug or stop which latter, by means of two bearing studs, isjournalled in an undivided valve housing while the sealing of the flowpassage in the housing relative to the stop or plug is effected bysealing rings displaceable in the direction of the flow passage, andwhile said plug is inserted in a cylindrical bore provided in thehousing and extending in the direction of the axis of the plug. Thevalve according to the present invention is characterized primarily inthat the guiding bushing which displaces the sealing ring in thedirection of flow, will in both of its two directions of movement beunder the influence of a separate driving member. Of these drivingmembers, that driving member which returns the guiding bushing from itssealing position into the valve housing, is formed by cams mounted onthe surface of the plug and adapted in re sponse to a rotation of theplug to act upon the inner marginal portions of the guiding bushing nearthe end faces of the latter and move the same back. The said cams arepreferably arranged in pairs on oppositely located sides of the plug.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention,two or more cams with increasing radial height are arranged one behindthe other when looking in the direction of rotation of the plug.

The driving member which moves the guiding bushing into sealing positionconsists, according to the present invention, preferably of an adjustingscrew with conical tip which extends through the valve housing, said tipcooperating with a corresponding conical surface of the guiding bushing.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the driving memberwhich moves the guiding bushing into sealing position is, on one hand,formed by the helical annular end faces of the rotatable guidingbushing, and on the other hand, by a ring non-rotatably journalled inthe valve housing.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the driving memberwhich moves the guiding bushing into sealing position is formed on onehand by a pin stationarily journalled in the valve housing, and on theother hand by an annular end face of the rotatable guiding bushing,which end face has been cut ofr along an incline.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the driving memberwhich moves the guiding bushing into sealing position consists of a yokewith fork-like prongs having conicflly pointed ends, said yoke beingmoved over the guiding bushing over half the circumference and, whileresting against an inner housing end face wall of the valve housing,advances a collar of the guiding bushing, by the wall thickness of saidyoke, and thus moves the guiding bushing itself into sealing position.

With those embodiments according to which the displacement of theguiding bushings in the flow direction is effected by a rotary movementof the guiding bushings, the guiding bushings are, in conformity withthe invention, provided with slots, bores or other uneven formation toallow the employment of a hook-wrench for producing a rotative movementof the guiding bushings.

With all embodiments of the invention, the sealing ring which consistsof synthetic material or any other suitable .0 material may be supportedby a separate supporting ring mounted in the guiding bushing. Thesupporting ring mounted in the guiding bushing preferably, in additionto the sealing ring, also comprises a sealing ring in the outercircumferential surface and a resilient sealing ring on the rear endface, of which the last-mentionedsealing ring may be replaced by anon-sealing spring body. When the resilient sealing ring provided onthe'rear end have to be screwed back in order topermit earns 24 to faceof the. supporting ring is adapted at the same time to 7 Referring nowto the drawing indetail and FIGS. 1

and 2 thereof in particular, the valve illustrated therein comprises avalve housing 1 with a connecting flange 2, a V

bottom 3 and a neck '4. The spherical plug 5 is provided with bearingstuds 6 and 7. The bearing stud 7 is equipped with a square-head 8 forreceiving a wrench for actuating the plug. If the valve has rather largedimensions, the square-head 8 may also be connected with an electricmotor through a transmissionfor actuating the plug. The bearing studs 6and 7 are journalled'in anti-friction bearings 9, for instance,. needlebearings, having associated therewith corresponding, sealings 10, for

instance, groove seals or roof sealsc In view of the inner highpressure, lid 11 is pressed against a multi-sectional ring 12 mountedin'an annular groove 13 of the housing 1 neck 4. The arrangementfurthermore comprises a closure plate 14 which is clamped against parts11 and 12 by means of'screw bolts 15. An O-ring 16 is.arranged moveback'the guiding bushing 20.

' A particular'advantage of the arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 and 2consists in that the screws 27 are accessible from the outside and that,if desired, an adjustment of the sealing pressure between parts 5 and 21will be made possible without the necessity of removing the lid of thevalve. I

With the embodiment according to FIGS. 3 to 5, the moving back of theguiding bushing 30 iseifected by a cooperation of cams 24 with themarginal surfaces at the end face of the guiding bushing 30. Thedisplacement of the guiding bushing and thereby of the sealing ring 21in the direction toward the plug 5 is effected by a in the peripheralsurface of lid 11. Housing 1 is providedwith recesses 17 "and 18 forreceiving a guiding bushing 20 carrying a supporting ring 19. Thesupporting ring 19 has mounted therein a sealing ring 21 for effecting aseal with regard to the spherical plug 5. The said sealing ring 21 mayconsist of a synthetic material or any other suitable material. 22 ismounted in ring 19, whil'e an O-ring 23 is mounted in guiding bushing20. V

' Provided on the surface of plug 5 are cams 24 which are so arrangedthat for purposes of establishing uniform sealing pressures betweenparts 5- and 21, cams 24 are arranged in pairs at both sides of thevalve.

As will: be evidentfrorn FIG; 2, each two cams 24a and 24b arearranged'behind each other when looking in the direction of rotationindicated by the arrows P, the cams 24b located in the rear having agreater radial height than the front cams 24a, Consequently, cams 24:cooperate with the inner end faces 25 of the guiding bush-,

ing 20 in such a Way that with a corresponding rotation of the plug 5,first cams 24a will move back the corresponding guiding bushing 20 toaslight extent, whereupon the then succeeding cams 24b will bring aboutthe final return of the guiding bushing 20. FIGS. 1 and 2 show theguiding bushing 20 located-on the left 'side. only. A correspondingguiding bushing is also provided on the non-illustrated right-hand side.Thus, when the plug 5 has rotated once' about its axis, it will beevident; that by means of cams 24, first one'guiding bushing .20. andthen the oppositely located other guiding bushing 20.

A resilient sealing. ring valve housing after the members 15, 14, .12and llhave been removed.

After plug 5 has again been inserted and parts 11, 12, 14 and 15 havebeen installed, it is necessary to effect the seal between parts 5 and21; This is brought about responding to the .annular surface 26. Aplurality of cooperation of the helical end faces 30a of the rotatablyjournalled guiding bushing 30 with the helical end faces 31a of thenon-rotatably mounted ring 31. Ring 31 may be cemented to the recess 17in the housing or it may be pressed in or secured 'in any other suitablemanner against axial displacementand rotation. The pitch of the helicalendfaces 30a, 31a advantageously amounts to approximately 5 7 When valve5 has been installed, prior tojthe insertion of parts 11, 12, 14 and 15,the guiding bushings 30 are rotated by such an angle that the desiredsealing pressure between parts 5 and '21 will be obtained. To this end,

the guiding bushing 30 has its marginal portion provided with slits 32or with bores or the like into which may be inserted a hook-wrench forpurposes of turning the guiding bushings. When in thisrnanner thedesired sealing pressure has been obtained between parts 21 and 5, lid11 will be inserted and the closure plate 14 will be mounted. Theguiding bushing 30, placed into operational position, will be securedagainst undesired turning by means of an arresting screw 33.

If it is desired to remove the plug, it is necessary, after looseningand removing parts 15, 14, 12 and 11 and'after turning' back thearresting screw 33,first,to restore the angular starting position of theguiding bushing 30,. for instance by means of a hookawrench, so thatthere will be obtained the axial distance x between the helical marginalportions 3a, 31a as shown in FIG. 4. It is by this amount that then theguiding bushing 30, by means of cams 24,. will be moved back whenrotating plug 5 as a result of which plug 5 will be in a position inwhich it can be removed. I

FIG. 5 shows a modification over the arrangement of FIGS. 3 and 4 withregard to the sealing rings'inserted in the supporting ring 19. With theembodiment according to FIGS. 3 and 4, it has been assumed that theseals 22 will have asufiicient resiliency in'order to assure that.

also after a certain wear or compression of the sealing ring 21, therequired sealing pressure between parts 21 and 5 will, due to theelasticity of sealing ring 22, still be maintained. With the arrangementof FIG. 5, there may also be provided a resilient sealing ring 24.However, when the seal is to be effected by the sealing ring 35, the

sealing ring 34 may be replaced by a non-sealing resilient body whichhas the sole purpose to exert upon the sealing ring 21 the requiredsealing pressure, if sealing ring 21 should have been deformed or wornto a certain extent.

With the embodiment according to FIGS. 6 to 8, the end face 40a ofguiding bushing 40, which end face has been cut on a slant,cooperateswith pin 42 which is provided with an inclined surface 43,which latter is parallel to the surface 40a. 1

The two guiding bushings 40 required-for the supply and discharge sideare, according to FIG. 8, obtained by dividing a body of rotationaccording to the line S-S into two parts 41a and 41b. The line ofdivision S-S will then correspond to the inclined surface a according toFIG. 6.

As will be evident from FIG. 7, pin 42 is inserted into a housing bore44 and at 45 is welded to the wall of the bore.

When the guiding bushing 40 is to be moved in the direction toward theplug, the guiding bushing is by means of a hook-Wrench engaging theslits or bores 32, rotated in such a manner that the bushing 40 will,with increasing marginal portion 40a, move upon pin 4-2. In this way,the guiding bushing is displaced in the direction toward the plug until,again, the required sealing pressure has been obtained between parts 21and 5.

Prior to the removal of plug 5, it is again necessary to return theguiding bushing 40 by means of the hookwrench, into its angular startingposition whereupon the guiding bushing 40 by means of earns 24 of therotating plug, is moved back. When the guiding bushing i in its positionof operation, the arresting screw 33 will secure the guiding bushing 4tagainst undesired rotational movement.

Also with the embodiments of FIGS. 9 to 11, the return movement of theguiding bushing 46 into the position required for the removal of plug 5is effected by means of cams 24 provided on the surface of the plug.

After the installation of the plug, the required seal between the latterand the sealing ring 21 on each plug side, is effected by a yoke 24 withfork-like prongs 53 having conically pointed ends 54. When insertingthis yoke, its rear wall will rest against the inner housing end face56, whereas its front wall will move the collar 51 of bushing in frontof said front wall until the seala ing pressure between parts 5 and 21has been obtained. The yoke will then embrace the guiding bushing 59over approximately half its circumference. The Wall thickness of yoke 52is so dimensioned that the desired sealing pressure will be obtainedbetween parts 5 and 21. Slight deviations from the desired sealingpresure will be compensated for by the resilient sealing ring 22.

In order to be able, after removal of parts 15, 14, 12 and 11 easily toremove yoke 52, its upper end has been provided with an car 55.

It is, of course, to be understood that the present invention is, by nomeans, limited to the particular constructions shown in the drawings,but also comprises any modifications within the scope of the appendedclaims.

What we claim is:

1. In combination in a valve, a housing having a passage therethroughfor conveying a fluid, said housing being provided with a bore havingits axis at an angle with regard to the axis of said passage, arotatable plug extending through said bore and having its ends providedwith hearing studs rotatably journalled in said housing, sealing ringmeans displaceable in axial direction of said passage for sealingengagement with said plug to thereby seal said passage relative to saidbore, bushing means axially displaceably mounted within said housing,said bushing means being movable selectively into an effec tive positionto press said sealing ring means against said plug and also beingmovable into a retracted position to relieve the pressure against saidsealing ring means and to permit removal of said plug from said housingwhile said sealing ring means remain in the housing, first meansarranged in said housing for cooperation with said bushing means to movethe latter into said effective position, means for making said firstmeans ineffective, and second means arranged on said plug and operablein response to a certain rotation thereof to a position beyond thenormal operative limits thereof and while said first means isineffective to move said bushing means into said retracted position.

2. A valve according to claim 1, in which said second means includescams provided on the surface of said plug and operable to engage theadjacent end face of said bushing means.

3. A valve according to claim 1, in which said second means includes aplurality of groups of cams arranged on the surface of said plug in sucha way that one group of said cams is located diametrically oppositeanother group of cams.

4. In combination in a valve, a housing having a passage therethroughfor conveying a fluid, said housing being provided with a bore havingits axis at an angle with regard to the axis of said passage, arotatable plug extending through said bore and having its ends providedwith bearing studs rotatably journalled in said housing, sealing ringmeans displaceable in axial direction of said passage for sealingengagement with said plug to thereby seal said passage relative to saidbore, bushing means axially displaceably mounted within said housing,said bushing means being movable in its axial direction selectively intoan effective position to press said sealing ring means against said plugand also being movable into a retracted position to relieve the pressureagainst said sealing ring means to permit removal of said plug from saidhousing while said sealing ring means remain in the housing, first meansarranged in said housing for cooperation with said bushing means to movethe latter into said effective position, means for making said firstmeans ineffective, and a plurality of cams arranged on said plug onebehind the other and respectively having successively increasing radialheight when looking in a certain direction of rotation of said plug,said cams being operable in response to a rotation of said plug in saidcertain direction to a position beyond the normal operative limitsthereof and While said first means is ineffective to move said bushingmeans in axial direction thereof away from said plug.

5. In combination in a valve, a housing having a passage therethroughfor conveying a fluid, said housing being provided with a bore havingits axis at an angle with regard to the axis of said passage, arotatable plug extending through said bore and having its ends providedwith hearing studs rotatably journalled in said housing, sealing ringmeans displaceable in axial direction of said passage for sealingengagement with said plug to thereby seal said passage relative to saidbore, bushing means axially displaceably mounted within saidhousing,said bushing means being movable in axial direction thereof selectivelyinto an effective position to press said sealing ring means against saidplug and also being movable in axial direction thereof into a retractedposition to relieve the pressure against said sealing ring means and topermit removal of said plug from said housing while said sealing ringmeans remain in the housing, said bushing means having a conical surfacesection with the tip of the conical contour located substantially on thelongitudinal axis of said bushing means on that side of said bushingmeans which is remote from said plug, adjustable screw means extendingthrough said housing and provided with conical surface means adaptedselectively to engage said conical surface section of said bushing meansto move the latter toward said plug means into said effective position,said screw means also being movable selectively out of engagement withsaid conical surface section to permit said bushing means to move awayfrom said plug, and means arranged on said plug and operable in responseto a certain rotation thereof greater than the normal amount of rotationand while said screw means are retracted to move said bushing means intosaid retracted position.

6. In combination in a valve, a housing having a pas sage therethroughfor conveying a fluid, said housing being provided with a bore havingits axis at an angle with regard to the axis of said passage, arotatable plug extending through said bore and having its ends providedwith bearing studs rotatably journaled in said housing,

movable into a retracted position to relieve the pressure against saidsealing ring means and to permit removal of said plug from said housingwhile said sealing ring :means remain in the housing,the outerperipheral surface of said bushing means being provided with a collar,said ihousing having a wall section injspaced relationship to said plug,a yoke member provided with fork-like prongs ring means stationarilyarranged in said housing laterally V of said plug and substantiallycoaxially with the axis of said passage, that end face of said ringmeans which faces said plug being helically shaped, vsaid bushing meansbeing interposed between said ring meansand said plug having that endface which faces said ring means helically shaped in conformity with thehelically' 'having conically tapering ends and insertable between :saidwall section and said collar for moving said bush- :ing means into saidfirst position, and cam means arranged E on said plug and operable inresponse to a rotation thereof -beyond one'of its normal limits andfollowing the removal 'of said yoke member to move said bushing meansinto :its retracted position.

-9.-A valve according to claim 1, in which said bushmeans is rotatableand is provided with recesses for shaped end face of said ring means forengagement;

therewith to thereby cause said bushing means in response to a rotationthereof in one direction. to move toward said plug into said effectiveposition, said bushing means: being rotatable in the opposite directionfor establishingclearance between said bushing means and said' ringmeans, and cam means. on said 'plug engageable with the bushing means inresponse to rotationof: the plug beyond one of its normal limits ofrotation for moving the bushing means into retracted position. x

7. In combination in a valve, a housing having a pas sage therethroughfor conveying a fluid, 'said housing being provided with a bore havingits axis at an angle with regard to the axis of said passage, arotatable plug with bearing studs rotatably jou'rnalled in said housing,with bearingstuds rotatably journaled in said housing, sealing ringmeans displaceable in axial direction of said passage for sealingengagement with said plug to thereby seal said passage relative to saidbore, rotatablebushi'ng means axially displaceably mounted within saidhousing, said bushing means being movable selectively into 'an effectiveposition to press said sealing ring means against and to permit removalof said plug fro'msaid housing while said sealing ring means remain inthe housing, and

pin means stationarily arranged in said housing and extending throughsaid passage, said bushing means being 7 interposed between said plugand said 'pin means and having *oneiof its end faces which isremote-fromsaid plug helically shaped for sliding engagement with saidpin means whereby said bushing means in response to a rotation thereofin one direction is movable toward said plug into said effectiveposition and inresponse to a rotation in opposite direction is movableaway from said plug into said retracted position, and cam means on theplug engageable with the bushing means in response to rotation of theplug beyond one of itsnormal limits operable for moving the'bushin'gmeans to retracted position. i a

8. In combination in a valve, a housing having'a Spassage 'therethroughfor conveying a fluid, said housing being provided with a borehaving'its axis at an angle with regard to the axis of said passage, arotatable plug 7 extending through said bore and having its end providedwith bearing studs rotat'ably'journalled in said housing,

sealing ring meansdisplaceable in axial direction of said passage forsealing engagement with said plug to thereby seal said passage relativeto said bore, bushing means axially displa'ceably mounted Within saidhousing and receiving the hooks of a hook-wrench.

1O. A valve according to claim 1, which includes a supporting ringmounted in said bushing means and carrying said sealing ring means.

11. In combination in a valve, a housing having a passage therethroughfor conveying a fluid, said housing .being provided with a bore havingits axis. at an angle with regard to the axis of said passage, arotatable plug extending through said more and having its ends pro-[vided with bearing studs rotatably journalled in said housing, sealing,ring means displaceable in axial direction of said passagefor sealingengagement with said plug to thereby sealsaid passage relative to saidbore, bushing means axially displaceably mounted Within said housing,and being movable selectivelyinto an effective position to press saidsealing ring'means against said plug and also being movable intoaretracted position to relieve the pressure againstsaid sealing ringmeans and to permit removal of said plugfrom said housing While saidsealing ring means remain in the housing, said bushing means having anannular recess, supporting ring means mounted 1n sard annular recess andcarrying said sealing ring 7 means, said supporting ring means havingits peripheral movable selectively into an effective position to presssaid sealing ring means againstsaid plug and also being surfaceprovidedwith an annular groove, additional 'seal- ,mg ring means mounted in saidannular groove for sealing said supporting ring means'relative to saidrecess of said bushing means, first means arranged in said housing forcooperation with said bushing means to move the latter into saideffective position, means for making said'first' means ineffective, andsecondmeans arranged on said plug and operable in response to a certainrotation thereof vbeyond one of its normal limits and while said firstmeans is ineffective to move said bushing means into said restrictedposition. 7

12. Avalve according to claim 11, which includes resilient meansinterposed between that end face of said supporting ring means which isremote from said sealing .ring means and the adjacent surface in saidrecess of said bushing means. 4

' References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,738,450 Ryan et al. Dec. 3, 1929 1,931,797 7 Howard Oct. 24, 19332,639,883 Smith May 26, 1953 2,661,926 Resek Dec. 8, 1953 2,883,146 KnoxApr. 2l, 1959 3,037,738 Jackson et al. June 5, 1962 3,038,693 Dumm June12, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,102,510 Germany Mar. 16, 1961

1. IN COMBINATION IN A VALVE, A HOUSING HAVING A PASSAGE THERETHROUGHFOR CONVEYING A FLUID, SAID HOUSING BEING PROVIDED WITH A BORE HAVINGITS AXIS AT AN ANGLE WITH REGARD TO THE AXIS OF SAID PASSAGE, AROTATABLE PLUG EXTENDING THROUGH SAID BORE AND HAVING ITS ENDS PROVIDEDWITH BEARING STUDS ROTATABLY JOURNALLED IN SAID HOUSING, SEALING RINGMEANS DISPLACEABLE IN AXIAL DIRECTION OF SAID PASSAGE FOR SEALINGENGAGEMENT WITH SAID PLUG TO THEREBY SEAL SAID PASSAGE RELATIVE TO SAIDBORE, BUSHING MEANS AXIALLY DISPLACEABLY MOUNTED WITHIN SAID HOUSING,SAID BUSHING MEANS BEING REMOVABLE SELECTIVELY INTO AN EFFECTIVEPOSITION TO PRESS SAID SEALING RING MEANS AGAINST SAID PLUG AND ALSOBEING REMOVABLE INTO A RETRACTED POSITION TO RELIEVE THE PRESSUREAGAINST SAID SEALING RING MEANS AND TO PERMIT REMOVAL OF SAID PLUG FROMSAID HOUSING WHILE SAID SEALING RING MEANS REMAIN IN THE HOUSING, FIRSTMEANS ARRANGED IN SAID HOUSING FOR COOPERATION WITH SAID BUSHING MEANSTO MOVE THE LATTER INTO SAID EFFECTIVE POSITION, MEANS FOR MAKING SAIDFIRST MEANS INEFFECTIVE, AND SECOND MEANS ARRANGED ON SAID PLUG AND